Improvement in padlocks



UNITED STATES PATENT CEEICE.

, "ILLIAll'I VILCOX, OF MIDDLETOVN, CONNECTICUT.

IMPROVEMENT IN PADLOCKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 146,968, dated January 27, 1874; application filed December 30, 1873.

` To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM WiLooX, of Middletown, in the county of Middlesex and State of Connecticut, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Padlocks, of which the following is a full and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings making a part of this specification.

AThe object of my invention is to enable me to apply a perfectly flat key to the ordinary padlock withoutthe necessity of changing its construction, except adding a simple and in expensive key-hub.

The annexed drawings represent the common padlock, and my invention as applied to it, inwhich- Figure l is an interior view ot' an ordinary padlock, showing the socket B on the back plate, in which the cavity end ot the key-hub rotates, and which also forms a ward that the key must properly tit. Fig. 2 is a view of the top plate, showing the slotted end C of the key-hub as it appears on the exterior or front of the lock. Fig. 3 is a side view of the rotating key-hub, showing the slot 1), which receives the bit of the fiat key, on either side of the hub. Fig. 4 is a top and end view of the same. Fig. 5 is a vert-ical section ofthe same along the line y y. Fig. Gis a view ot' the lower or cavity end of the saine. Fig. 7 is a central vertical section of the padlock on the line e' at', showing the hat key and the rotating key-hub in position. Fig. 8 is a side view of the flat key. Fig. 9 is a side view of the lat Fig. l() is an key and the rotating key-hub. edge'view ot the same.

The letter A indicates the back plate of the lock. B is the round socket xed in the back pla-te, in which sits and rotates the end H ot' the keyhub. (Shown in Fig. 7.) The socket also performs the office of a ward. The end C of the key-huh is reduced in'size, forming a y shoulder, by which it is held in position by the top plate, as shown in Figs. 2 and 7 The rotating key-hub has a slot, D, cnt entirely through it at the end C, as shown in Fig. 3, and snticiently deep to meet the cavity or counter-bore E. (Shown in Fig. 5.) rThrough this slot the stein of the hat key passes and penetrates the cavity or counter' bore, and is supported laterally by the slot l), and vertically by the cavity or counter-bore E, which tits it and furnishes an exceedingly simple and positive support for the key throughout its whole rotation, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10.

It is immaterial which side ofthe slot l) the bit of the tiat key is entered, as'the lock may be operated equally well in either position.

Having thus described Vmy invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

A rotating key-hub, with the cavity or counter-bore E at one end, and the slot D at the opposite end, the cavity and slot lneetin g, forining bearings for the sides and edges of the flat key, and supporting it iirinly in its proper position while performing its entire rotation.

Y lVILLlAlli VILCOX.

Witnesses:

SAMUEL BABcoeK, CHARLES G. ATKnvs. 

